Libya Honors National Hero, Calls For Italian Compensation

Libya celebrated the 76-year anniversary of the death of national hero Omar Al Mukhtar. On August 16, 1931, Italian forces in the city of Solouq, in the North African country, executed Mukhtar.

Mukhtar is one of the most influential national heroes the Libyan people cherish. He led the resistance movement against the Italian for over 20 years. Mukhtar was an Islamic teacher before founding and organizing a resistance movement that led successful attacks against the Italians.

The Libyan hero was captured after being wounded in a battle when he was in his late sixties and was later publicly hanged in Solouq along with his fellow fighters.